Andorra

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Andorra

The Principality of Andorra is a microstate without a sovereign coastline on the Iberian Peninsula, in the eastern Pyrenees. Andorra is the sixth smallest state in Europe, with an area of 468 square kilometers and a population of about 79 034. Its capital, Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital in Europe at an altitude of 1,023 meters above sea level. The Andorran people are a Romani ethnic group originally of Catalan origin. The plant cover is rather diverse, mostly dominated by deciduous trees (oak, chestnut, beech, box) and conifers (fir-trees, pine, silver fir and different types of junipers). There are vast alpine and subalpine meadows high in the mountains. Andorra is home to the Golden Eagle, one of the most majestic birds of prey, and the Bearded Vulture. Other species include the Rupicapra Pyrenaica - the national emblem of Andorra - and reptiles such as lizards, in particular a subspecies of the Iberolacerta Aurelius. In grasslands and wetlands, a very strange species of lizard can be found, as it is easily mistaken for a snake due to the absence of legs: this is the Blind Worm or Slow-Worm. You can also find the Dreaded Viper and the Alpine Vole. Andorra's wildlife has a number of unique species, such as the nearly extinct Iberian Ibex. Very special is also the Pyrenean Desman, a 14 cm long type of water mole that lives in fast-flowing streams. The following mammals are still regularly seen, such as Wild Boar, marten, weasel, fox, hedgehog, badger, squirrel and Alpine Marmot. To the east of Andorra, in the Carlit mountains, the mouflon has been successfully reintroduced.